Released 4/16/24 | Tags:
NVLSP Statement on Supreme Court Decision Affirming Veterans Rights to Montgomery and Post 9/11 GI Bills in Rudisill v. McDonough
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 16, 2024
ARLINGTON, VA- The National Veterans Legal Services Program (NVLSP) issued the following statement today in response to the U.S. Supreme Court 7-2 ruling in favor of veteran Jim Rudisill who sought to use both his Post 9/11 GI Bill and Montgomery GI Bill benefits but was denied by the VA.
“NVLSP is deeply grateful for the Supreme Court’s resounding decision emphatically confirming that Mr. Rudisill and all other veterans who serve our nation are rightfully entitled to benefits which may be accrued under both the Montgomery and Post 9/11 GI bills. NVLSP has been an amicus on this case since it was first appealed to the Federal Circuit, believing from the beginning that our veterans deserve the full scope of educational benefits Congress has given them. This decision implements the clear Congressional intent to help our veterans pursue their education and transition from military life with all the resources they have earned,” said Rochelle Bobroff, Director of Lawyers Serving Warriors®, the Pro Bono Program of NVLSP.
NVLSP filed a “friend of the Court” brief in Rudisill v. McDonough urging the United States Supreme Court to reverse the Federal Court’s ruling and reaffirm Congress’s establishment of two GI Bills benefits programs with three other veterans services organization including Service Women’s Action Network (SWAN), Student Veterans of America® (SVA) and Veterans Education Success (VES). The veterans’ advocates filed their amici curiae brief with the pro bono assistance of Morgan Lewis LLP.
About The National Veterans Legal Services Program (NVLSP)
The National Veterans Legal Services Program (NVLSP) is an independent, nonprofit veterans service organization that has served active duty military personnel and veterans since 1981. NVLSP strives to ensure that our nation honors its commitment to its 18 million veterans and active duty personnel by ensuring they have the benefits they have earned through their service to our country. NVLSP has represented veterans in lawsuits that compelled enforcement of the law where the VA or other military services denied benefits to veterans in violation of the law. NVLSP’s success in these lawsuits has resulted in more than $5.4 billion dollars being awarded in disability, death and medical benefits to hundreds of thousands of veterans and their survivors. NVLSP offers training for attorneys and other advocates; connects veterans and active duty personnel with pro bono legal help when seeking disability benefits; publishes the nation's definitive guide on veteran benefits; and represents and litigates for veterans and their families before the VA, military discharge review agencies and federal courts. For more information go to www.nvlsp.org.
Media contact:
Patty Briotta, office 202-621-5698, patty@nvlsp.org